Hostal Mare Nostrum Blog

The festival of St John in Barcelona

The festival of San Juan is celebrated on June 23rd and it is one of the shortest nights of the year because of its proximity to the summer solstice, and is considered as a magical night: legend sais that fantastic beings come out with more intensity that night than any other, where the fire, firecrackers and bonfires are the stars.
The tradition for the “Verbena de San Juan” is eating coca (a typical pastry/cake), throwing firecrackers all night long and approaching one of the many fires that are made in the Spanish cities, preferably on their beaches. Formerly, the cakes for this party (called “Coca”) were round with a hole in the middle, which could be related to some kind of ancient ritual. Today, the standard measure usually canonical, ie twice as long ago as it is wide.
In Barcelona, each district develops its own festival but the most widespread option is to celebrate lately at the beaches to watch the sun rise and welcome the Summer. The bars of the beaches will be open all night long until the morning comes.
Activities:
The "Flame of Canigó" will take place at 7:30 pm in Plaza Sant Jaume, and it will be featured by the Àliga of Barcelona and the Ciutat Gegants that will welcome Enric i Montsant and "l'Orquestrina de l'Encant" which will give us all some great live music.
Nearest festivals and bonfires:
In Ciutat Vella: festival of San Juan with capoeira and the groups "Born 54" + "Pulpit and Suspension Squid" + "Afrochi Guawa" in Paseo Lluis Companys, number 7. Also, festival of San Juan at Plaza Real with the "Barcelona Big Blues Band". Also: coca and champagne tasting of St. John in Santa Caterina Market at 23:00 h. Also: festival of San Juan with fireplace, dinner and dancing in the square Folch i Torres.
In Sant Antoni: The Flame of Canigó will arrive at 9:15 pm: performance of the devils, clear reading and lighting of fire. Dinner and performance of the group "Alcachofa y la Cebolla".
We wish you a great and funny San Juan's night!